Printing device



Feb. 28? i939 H E HAASE 2,14&55

PRINTING DEVICE Filed Dec. 7, 1936 ,zzfzfc Haase INVENTOR @Mg/QM BY w'Patented Feb. 2.8, 1939 UNITED STATES PRINTING DEVICE Heinrich ErnstHaase, Chicago, lll., assigncr to Industrial Patents Corporation,Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application December 7, 1936,Serial No. 114,689

17 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved printing device.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved printingdevice. r, Another object of the invention is to provide a device forprinting on tubular articles.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device for printing ontubular articles shaped more or less in the form of a helix.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ldevice for directprinting on sausage casings. n

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the description andclaims which follow.

Attempts have been made from time to time l to mark sausage products invarious ways. Direct printing upon natural sausage casings prepared fromanimal intestines has been inherently fraught with diiculties due to thenature of the tissue.

For example, natural casings prepared from ani- 2o mal intestines,because some of the bers are shorter than others, are more or less inthe form of a helix. Such casings cannot be flattened intoa smooth planeand consequently are not adapted for printing with a flat bed type ofprinting press. In accordance with the present invention, a singlethickness of the casing is moved in contact with the printing means.This is accomplished by individually shirring and supporting the casingsover a curved cylindrical surface Xedly secured relative to a rotatableprinting roller. The casings are mechanically stretched at the immediatepoint of printing to assure a fiat smooth printing surface.

Reference is had to the drawing in which like 3,-, characters ofreference are used to designate similar elements.

Figure 1 is a side view, partly in section, of a printing deviceconstructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a front view of the device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan View of the device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line fi-i of Figure l illustratingthe means for stretching the casing at the point of Contact with theprinting roller.

Figure 5 is a detail plan view showing the inking roller mechanism.

Figure 6 is a side view of the mechanism shown in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail view showing the printing rollermechanism.

In the drawing, a cylindrical mandrel i, of 55 metal or other suitablematerial, isshown rigidly (ci. 10i-s6) secured at one end to supportingframe 2, which is bolted or otherwise secured to floor 3. Mandrel l iscurved substantially in the form of a goose neck for suitably carryingthe helically formed casings.

Mandrel l at a suitable point between its ends, is provided with stopelement 4 and, approaching its free end 5, is gradually flattened on itsupper surface, as at 6, to provide a smooth flat surface at the point ofprinting. Intermediate the attened portion 6, mandrel i is recessed at lfor mounting shaft 8 and bearing roller 9. The peripheral surface ofroller 9 rotates slightly above the surface E and in contact with thecasings as they pass thereover.

On its lower surface and to either side of roller 9, as at I@ and l l,mandrel i is suitably tapered toward its free end 5. Clusters ofrelatively stiii bristles i 2 or other resilient material, 'are suitablymounted to extend from the surface of tapered portmns I0 and il and thusserve to stretch the tubular casings as they are moved relative to theimmediate point of printing.

Printing assembly I3, comprising assembly frame Hi and printing rollerl5, is pivotally l;

mounted, as at I6, to supporting frame 2 for movement from and towardmandrel l.

Printing roller l5 is pinioned to shaft H journaled in bearings I8bolted, or otherwise secured,

.to assembly frame Ui. Shaft ll' is rotatably driven by powertransmitted from motor i9 through the agency of shaft 2Q, worm 2i andworm wheel 22. Motor i9 is bolted, or otherwise secured, to standard 23suitably mounted on assembly frame Ill.

As shown in Figure 7, printing roller i5 com- .I

prises a central printing band 25) carrying type designating suitableindicia and, at its outer peripheral edges, is annularly flanged toprovide bearing surfaces 25. Roller El is provided with central area 26having an outer covering of composition rubber 2l or other suitableresilient material and, like printing roller i5, is annularly flanged atits outer peripheral edges to provide bearing surfaces 2B.

In practice, the casings 29 are individually shirred and supported overmandrel l against stop element ii. The forward end of casing 29 is leftextending slightly beyond roller VSi whence it is suitably stretchedbybristles i 2 and ready for printing at that point. Assembly frame Hi,mounting printing assembly i3, is then pivoted toward mandrel I and, asshown in Figure '7, printing roller i5 is moved into Contact with thecasing against the roller 9.

The' bearing surfaces 25 of rotating printing roller I5 serve tofrlctionally press the casing against the bearing surfaces 28 of roller8 and thus feed thef casing from the mandrel during printing of thecasing by band 24 against resilient surface 21 of roller 9. 'Ihe tensionof printing roller I5 against the casing moved over roller 9 may beregulated by weight 30 so as not to cut the casing. Weight 30 isadjustably mounted on shaft 3| to counterbalance the Weight of theprinting assembly I3 at pivotal point I6.

Ink from reservoir 32 is gradually but continuously applied to the typeof printing band 24 through the medium of inking roller 33 and doctorrollers 34, and 36. Roller 36 is rigidly secured to shaft 31 journaledin bearings 38. Roller 35 is rigidly secured to shaft 38 journaled forslidable longitudinal movement in bearings 4U. Roller 34 is rigidlysecured to shaft 4| journaled for slidable longitudinal movementinbearings 42.' Bearings 38, 40 and 42 are each suitably secured toassembly frame I4. Roller 36 is rotatably driven by frictionalengagement with printing roller I5, roller 35 by frictional engagementwith roller 36 and roller 34 by frictional engagement with roller 35.

In practice, roller 36 is rotated in a constant plane against the typeof printing band 24 of roller I5 while rollers 34 and 35 arelongitudinally moved relative to each other and relative to roller 36 soas to provide an even distribution of the ink before its application toprinting band 24. To accomplish this, shafts 38 and 4I are provided withgrooved rollers 43 and 44, respectively, for the reception of ball ends45 and 46 of shaft 41 pivotally mounted, as at 48, on standard 49bolted, or otherwise secured, to assembly frame I4. Pivotal movement isimparted to shaft 41 through the medium of rocker 50, crank 5| andconnecting rod 52. Crank 5| is rigidly secured to shaft 53 journaled inbearings 54. Shaft '53 is rotatably driven by power transmitted fromshaft I1 through the medium of sprockets 55 and 56 and chain 51.

Ink from reservoir 32 is intermittently fed to roller 34 through themedium of roller 33. Roller 33 is rotatably mounted to extend belowreservoir 32 and when rotated serves to carry a thin lm of ink fromreservoir 32. Reservoir 32 is rigidly secured to arm 58 pivotallymounted, as at 59, to standard 60 and is adapted for movement from andtoward roller 34. Standard 68 is rigidly secured to assembly frame I4.Pivotal movement of arm 58 and. thus the reservoir 32 is controlledthrough the 'medium of roller 6| in contact with rotatable cam 62. Cam62 is rigidly secured to shaft 63 journaled in bearings 64. Shaft 63 isrotatably driven by power transmitted from shaft 53 through the mesh ofgears 65 and 66.

When dwell 61 of cam 62 is rotated in contact with roller 6|, reservoir32 is moved toward roller 34 whence roller 33 will contact roller 34, berotated by roller 34 and thus deliver a supply of ink to roller 34. Theink supply to roller 34, as hereinbefoie explained, will be evenlydistributed over the surfaces of rollers 35 and 36 and thus be carriedto printing band 24.

The present invention has been described as applied to the printing ofnatural sausage casings by way of illustration. It will be understoodthat the invention is also applicable to printing synthetic sausagecasings made from cellulosic material and other tubular articlesregardless of the materials from whichmanufactured.

.I claim:

1. A device for printing tubular articles comprising a rotatableprinting roller, means for applying ink to the roller, means positionedto sup-A port one wall of the tubular article in contact with the rollerand means for stretching the inner wall of the article at the point ofcontact of the roller.

2. A device for printing tubular articles comprising a rotatableprinting roller, means for applying ink to the roller and meanssupporting longitudinally one wall of the tubular article in contactwith and transversely of the roller, the supporting means including acylindrical mandrel over which the article is passed longitudinally bythe rotating action of the printing roller.

3. A device for printing tubular articles comprising a mandrelsupporting longitudinally one Wall of the article, a. recess in thesupporting surface of the mandrel, a rotatable bearing roller mountedtransversely of the mandrel in the recess, a rotatable printing rollermounted in contactable relation with the bearing roller, means forrotating the printing roller and means for applying ink to the printingroller, the,article being longitudinally moved between the severalrollers by the rotating action of the printing roller against thebearing roller.

4. A device for printing tubular articles comprising a mandrelsupporting longitudinally one wall of the article, a recess in thesupporting surface of the mandrel, a rotatable bearing roller mounted inthe recess, a rotatable printing roller mounted transversely of themandrel and in contactable relation with the bearing roller, means forrotating the printing roller and means for applying ink to the printingroller, the article being longitudinally moved between the severalrollers by the rotating action of the printing roller against thebearing roller, the mandrel providing a flat surface adjacent the pointof contact between the several rollers.

5. A device for printing tubular articles comprising a mandrelsupporting one Wall of the article, a recess in the supporting surfaceof the mandrel, a rotatable bearing roller mounted in the recess, arotatable printing roller mounted in contactable relation with thebearing roller, means for rotating the printing roller, means forapplying ink to the printing roller, the several rollers by the rotatingaction of the printing roller against the bearing roller and means forstretching the inner Wall of the tubular article while being movedbetween the several rollers.

6. A device for printing tubular articles cornprising a mandrelsupporting one wall of the article, a recess in the supporting surfaceof the mandrel, a rotatable bearing roller mounted in the recess, arotatable printing roller mounted in contactable relation with thebearing roller, means for rotating the printing roller, means forapplying ink to the printing roller, the article being longitudinallymoved between the several rollers by the rotating action of the printingroller against the bearing roller and means including clusters ofbristles secured against the under surface of the mandrel for stretchingthe inner wall of the tubular article while being moved between theseveral rollers.

7. A device for printing tubular articles comprising a mandrelsupporting one Wall of the article, a recess in the supporting surfaceof the mandrel, a rotatable bearing roller mounted in the recess, arotatable printing roller mounted in contactable relation with thebearing roller, means for rotating the printing roller, meansfor beinglongitudinally moved between the several rollers by the rotating actionof the printing roller against the bearing roller and means foradjustably tensioning the contacting pressure between the severalrollers.

8. A device for printing tubular articles comprising a mandrelsupporting one wall of the article, a recess in -the supporting surfaceof the mandrel, a rotatable bearing roller mounted in the recess, arotatable printing roller pivotally mounteda'for movement from andtoward and in contactable relation with the bearing roller, means forcontrolling the contacting pressure between the several rollers, meansfor rotating the printing roller and means for applying ink to theprinting roller, the article being moved longitudinally between theseveral rollers by the rotating action of the printing roller againstthe bearing roller.

9. A device for printing tubular articles comprising a mandrelsupporting the inner wall of the article, a recess in the supportingsurface of the mandrel, a rotatable bearing roller mounted in therecess, a rotatable printing roller mounted for movement from and towardand in contactable relation with the bearing roller, means including acounterbalance for adjustably controlling the tension between theseveral rollers, means for rotating the printing roller and means forapplying ink to the printing roller, the article being longitudinallymoved between the several rollers by the rotating action of the printingroller against the bearing roller.

10. A device for printing tubular articles shaped in the form of a helixcomprising a rotatable printing roller, means for applying ink to theroller and means including a curved mandrel for supporting internallyand longitudinally one Wall of the article relative to the roller.

l1. A device for printing tubular articles shaped in the form of a helixcomprising a rotatable printing roller, means for applying ink to theroller, means including a curved mandrel for supporting one wall of thearticle in Contact with the roller and means for stretching the innerwall of the article to the point of contact with the roller.

12. In a printing device comprising a supporting mandrel having a recessin the surface thereof,

`a bearing roller having an' outer surface of resilient material andannularly flanged at its outer peripheral edges providing bearingsurfaces mounted in the recess relative to the surface of the mandreland a printing roller mounted in contactable relation with the bearingroller, the printing roller having a central printing band rotatablerelative to the resilient surface of the bearing roller and annularlyflanged at its outer peripheral edges to provide bearing surfacesrotatable relative to the bearing surfaces of the bearing roller.

13. In a device for printing longitudinally of the outerwall of a exibletube, means positioned to support the inner wall of the tubelongitudinally, a rotatable printing roller positioned transversely ofthe supporting means and contactable with the cuter wall of thesupported tube, and means distending the tube transversely at the pointof contact with the printing roller, the printing roller being adaptedto move the tube longitudinally on the supporting means during printingof the outer wall of the tube.

14. In a device for printing longitudinally of the outer wall of aexible tube, means supporting the inner wall of the tube longitudinally,a rotatable printing roller contactable with the outer wall of thesupported tube, and means distending the tube transversely atethe pointof contact with the printing roller comprising bristle clustersextending from the surface of the supporting means, the printing rollerbeing adapted to move the tube longitudinally on the supporting meansduring printing of the outer wall of the tube.

15. In a device for printing longitudinally oi the outer wall of 'aexible tube of helical formation, a curved mandrel supporting the innerwall of the tube longitudinally and a rotatable printing rollercontactable with the outer wall of the supported tube, the printingroller being adapted to move the tube longitudinally of the supportingmeans during printing of the outer wall of the tube.

16. In a device for printing longitudinally of the outer wall of aflexible tube of helical formation, a curved mandrel supporting theinner wall of the tube longitudinally, a rotatable printing rollercontactable with the outer wall of the supported tube, the printingroller being adapted to move the tube longitudinally of the supportingmeans during printing of the outer wall of the tube, and meansdistending the tube transversely at the point of contact with theprinting roller.

17. In. a device for printing longitudinally of the outer Wall of atube, means supporting the inner Wall of the tube longitudinally and arotatable printing roller having its axis positioned transversely of thesupporting means, the printing roller being contactable with the outerwall of the supported tube and being adapted to move the tubelongitudinally on the supporting means during printing of the outer wallof the tube.

HEINRICH ERNST HAASE.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

parent No. 2,1m, 550. February 28, 41959.

HEINRICH ERNST HAASE.-

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2,second column, line 11,9, claim 5, before the article "the" secondoccurrence, insert the words thearticle being longitudinally movedbetween; and that the said Letters Patent shouldbe read with thiscorrection therein that the same may conform to the record of the casein the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 18th day of April, A. D. 1959.

Henry Van Arsdale (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patentsz.

